Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Requires each county to apply any applicable real property tax exemptions, reduced assessments, or tax classifications for any affordable housing subject to income, resale, or occupancy restrictions as of the date a qualifying owner takes title to the affordable housing for the upcoming tax period, consistent with county procedures. Effective 4/19/2042. (SD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Establishes an advisory council within the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program to advise on environmental and cultural practices within specific developments. Establishes a position. Requires annual reports to the legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/2050 (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT.

Establishes the procedure that a circuit court shall follow upon the reversal or vacation of a person's judgment of conviction on grounds consistent with innocence, and where the charges were dismissed. Requires the State to pay, through a warrant for payment issued by the Comptroller, advance compensation to any petitioner who was convicted in a court of the State, imprisoned for at least one year, and whose judgment of conviction was reversed or vacated, or was pardoned, on grounds consistent with innocence. Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to immediately notify the Department of Human Services so the Department of Human Services may assign a case manager to a petitioner upon the petitioner's release. Requires the State to provide medical coverage to a person for a certain duration upon the reversal or vacation of the person's judgment of conviction on grounds consistent with innocence and where the charges were dismissed. Provides that the Judiciary and Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall retain jurisdiction over the person for the purposes of effectuating this process. Authorizes the State to seek reimbursement from the applicable county for any losses incurred by the State pursuant to this process. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Clarifies eligibility to seek compensation for persons whose judgment of conviction was reversed or vacated, or who were pardoned, on grounds consistent with innocence, and where the charges were dismissed. Shifts the burden of proof to the State to prove by a preponderance of evidence that the reversal or vacation of the judgment of conviction for a petitioner, or the pardoning of the petitioner, was inconsistent with innocence. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCEDURES FOR TAX APPEALS.

Requires a tax to be paid before the courts may entertain a second appeal on the merits of the dispute. Requires a taxpayer who partially prevailed during the taxpayer's first appeal to pay the amount determined to be due in that first appeal, rather than the entire assessment, in order to make a subsequent appeal. Clarifies that a taxpayer who does not appeal the decision of the body reviewing the initial tax assessment by the Department of Taxation is required to pay the tax as determined by the Taxation Board of Review or Tax Appeal Court or the tax assessment by the Department of Taxation if left unmodified and unamended by the Board or Court. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PROCEDURE FOR PAYMENT UNDER PROTEST LAWSUITS.

Clarifies and adds procedural safeguards to section 40-35, HRS, which relates to payments to the State under protest. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STRENGTHEN HAWAII HOMES PROGRAM.

Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program under the Department of Land and Natural Resources to award grants for qualified mitigation projects to mitigate against loss from fire. Provides eligibility criteria for residential property owners to receive grants and guidelines for contractors and assessors to perform work on mitigation projects. Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Revolving Fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Allows applicants or primary caregivers to make a one-time purchase of medical cannabis after the submission of the applicant's certification form while waiting for confirmation of registration from the Department of Health. Requires the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation to facilitate the temporary authorization. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Requires the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households, participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, and report to the Legislature. Implementation effective 7/1/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO CURRENCY.

Authorizes cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest five cents, except for cash transactions that total $0.01 or $0.02, which are to be rounded up to $0.05. Exempts transactions in which payment is made by demand or negotiable instrument, electronic fund transfer, check, gift card, money order, credit card, or other like instrument or method. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program, to consist of a reimbursement program and a grant program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, to assist certain farmers and livestock producers with transportation costs for agricultural products, inputs, supplies, and production and distribution of agricultural commodities. Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Affirms student-athletes' rights to engage in name, image, and likeness activities for compensation. Requires the University of Hawaii to adopt policies governing institutional name, image, and likeness agreements and other aspects of name, image, and likeness activity consistent with federal law, rules by an intercollegiate athletics governing body such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and Title IX. Requires the University to provide independent advisors to student-athletes. Establishes certain transparency and accountability requirements in the administration of institutional name, image, and likeness activities. Provides protections and educational support for student-athletes who enter into name, image, and likeness agreements. Sunsets 6/30/2030. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Education and public charter schools to take certain steps regarding incidents of harassment and implement procedures for handling harassment of educational workers. (SD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE EMPLOYMENT.

Establishes a five-year pilot program allowing retirants to be rehired for exempt service for one-year terms under certain circumstances. Provides that retirants employed under the program are excluded from the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund and will not experience an interruption of pension benefits. Requires an employer of a retirant under the program to contribute to the Employees' Retirement System. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to submit a report to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSE REVOCATION.

Clarifies an administrative driver's license revocation takes automatic effect thirty days after a Notice of Administrative Revocation that the revocation remains in effect until the Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office affirms or rescinds the administrative revocation. Clarifies review timelines for the administrative review and hearing processes. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Amends the renewable energy technologies income tax credit by: for taxable years beginning after 12/31/26, prohibiting taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $250,000 or greater if filing as an individual or $350,000 or greater if filing jointly from claiming the credit for certain solar energy systems installed and placed in service on a single-family residential property; limiting credit claims for certain solar energy systems for single-family residential property to two systems per single-family residential property and requiring systems to have a total output capacity of at least five kilowatts; and increasing the adjusted gross income threshold below which an individual taxpayer may elect to have any excess credits refunded. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Amends the Healthcare Preceptor Tax Credit to remove language limiting access only to those practicing in primary care, to add licensed dietitians, physician assistants, and social workers as eligible preceptors and students, and to include residency and followship programs. Adds the Director of Health and a representative of residency programs with eligible students to the Preceptor Credit Assurance Committee. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO AIR MEDICAL SERVICES.

Establishes the Statewide Air Medical Services Program within Establishes the Statewide Air Medical Services Program within the Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention Systems Branch to coordinate and strengthen air medical services. Establishes an air medical director, an air medical program manager, and an air medical coordinator. Specifies that annual licensure and accreditation fees are to be deposited into the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund for costs of the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO BONDS.

Part I: Substitutes the word "tax increment" with "resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity" for purposes of the Resilient Infrastructure for Shelter and Equity Act, except under certain circumstances. Part II: Conforms state law concerning county debt limits to permit counties to exclude resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds from the debt limit of the counties, if a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds and excluding resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds from determinations of the counties' funded debt is ratified. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.

Specifies that no person is subject to liability for providing clinical preventive services in accordance with Department of Health recommendations. Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and plans issued by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to provide coverage for clinical preventive services. Authorizes the Department of Health to make recommendations relating to clinical preventive services and issue standing orders for medications and immunizations. Clarifies that, for child health supervision services coverage, the prevailing medical standards include recommendations by the Department of Health. Prohibits denial of coverage and prior authorization for clinical preventive services based on medical necessity. Specifies that a registered pharmacist may order a vaccine in accordance with the recommendations from the Department of Health. Exempts this measure from an Auditor impact assessment report. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S AUTHORITY TO REGULATE FOOD, DRUGS, AND COSMETICS.

Removes duplicative food-related statutory material and aligns all food-related provisions under chapter 328, HRS. Ensures adequate statutory authority for permits, fees, inspections, and enforcement. On 6/30/2027, repeals the Sanitation and Environmental Health Special Fund and transfers any unexpended or unencumbered balance to the newly established Food Safety and Environmental Health Special Fund. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LAW.

Repeals the requirement that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations regulate hoisting machines and certify their operators and the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board, including its rules requiring a separate state crane operator certificate. Allows additional time for the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to complete an investigation of a discharge or discrimination complaint pertaining to employees exercising rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Law without formal extension. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt, amend, or repeal administrative fee schedules for use of certain lands pursuant to a specified procedure and to exempt parking lot and concessions operations on those lands from the bidding requirements for concessions operated on public property. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL PORT ADMINISTRATION.

Renames the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation to the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishes between the terms "harbor" and "commercial port" throughout the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MILITARY FAMILIES.

Authorizes an eligible employee to take family leave for a qualifying military exigency under state law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DOWNPAYMENT LOAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Amends the Downpayment Loan Assistance Program, administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, to align with federal requirements and enhance assistance for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND INVESTMENT OFFICE STAFF SALARIES.

Authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to establish appropriate salaries for the investment officers and investment analysts of the Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY ASSISTANCE.

Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist qualifying households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Benefits Fee Administrator of the Public Utilities Commission to provide certain information and assistance to recipients of the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.

Establishes the Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency as the Deputy Director of Emergency Management within the Department of Defense, under the direction of the Adjutant General. Clarifies the position's reporting structure and duties. Requires the Commission on Salaries to include the Deputy Director of Emergency Management in its recommendations for executive branch salary levels. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIVATE SUPPORT OF EDUCATION.

Clarifies that free tuition at private educational institutions or school-conditioned enrollment at private educational institutions where no tuition or other monetary consideration is required or paid by the recipient are to be considered conditional gifts that support educational advancements rather than contractual obligations unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME TAX.

PART I: Repeals future adjustments to income tax brackets. For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026, adds an income tax bracket and increases the income tax rates for the three highest income tax brackets by one percentage point each. Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that is used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit and increases income eligibility thresholds for the credit. Establishes certain disallowance periods following a final decision that a claim for the credit was due to fraud and that the claim was disallowed. Extends the sunset for enhancements made by Act 163, SLH 2023, to the Household and Dependent Care Services Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Food/Excise Tax Credit to 12/31/2032. PART II: Amends the renewable energy technologies income tax credit by: for taxable years beginning after 12/31/26, limiting claims for certain solar energy systems that are not third-party financed systems and installed and placed in service on a single-family residential property to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $250,000 or less if filing as an individual or $350,000 or less if filing jointly; removing certain cap amounts for solar energy systems that are not third-party financed systems; and increasing the maximum adjusted gross income an individual taxpayer must be below in order to be eligible to have any excess credits refunded and limiting credit refundability to systems that are not third-party financed systems. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Renames the Beach Restoration Special Fund as the Beach Preservation and Restoration Fund. Establishes the Special Subaccount of the Special Fund. Requires that all conveyance tax revenues collected from the conveyance or transfer of real property located in whole or in part in a sea level rise exposure area be deposited into the special subaccount of the Special Fund. Allows funds in the special subaccount of the Special Fund to be used to acquire property. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires all health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations in the State, including Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies under certain conditions. Allows the Departments of Health and Human Services to accept and expend funds from public and private sources to support the expansion of access to continuous glucose monitors. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO RECORDS.

Removes outdated requirements and formats for plans filed with the registrar's office. Updates permissible drawing scales used in plans. Clarifies that statutory filing fees are set pursuant to the rules adopted by the Department of Accounting and General Services. Repeals obsolete terms such as "blueprint." Authorizes the Department of Accounting and General Services to approve the format of plans. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL SERVICE EXEMPT POSITIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES.

Exempts from the State's civil service and collective bargaining laws the following positions within the Department of Accounting and General Services: all positions filled by the Public Works Division's Special Project Branch; and all positions within the Comptroller's Office hired to support communications, change management, and business process improvement programs as part of the State's information technology modernization efforts. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 12/31/2031. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS.

Clarifies and updates the sex trafficking and promoting prostitution criminal offense statutes by refining the definition of "profits from prostitution," establishing an affirmative defense to these offenses for certain lawful transactions, and making technical and other housekeeping amendments. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Establishes the offense of criminal destruction of a tree on state or county property, punishable as a misdemeanor. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LAND USE COMMISSION.

Authorizes the Land Use Commission to amend, revise, or modify a decision and order granting a district boundary amendment, or fine a petitioner, upon finding that a petitioner or its successors or assigns have not adhered to the conditions imposed by the Commission, regardless of whether there has been substantial commencement of use of the land. Defines "substantial commencement". Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in the name of the people of the State as parens patriae against any responsible party to recover certain costs or obtain certain relief, including costs and losses incurred by the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or other state entities, resulting from climate attributable harm or costs for risk of future climate attributable harm. Authorizes the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or any private insurer licensed in the State to bring a civil cause of action against a responsible party to recover its costs and losses resulting from climate attributable harm. Establishes the Climate Disaster Special Fund to collect and disperse funds collected from certain civil actions to be distributed in a certain order of priority. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to allow any resident of a public housing project or state low-income housing project to keep one or more pet animals in the resident's unit, subject to applicable state laws, county ordinances, and any reasonable conditions. Prohibits pet animals from being at-large on public housing premises. Provides that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority may charge a refundable deposit for each pet animal but shall not impose a monthly pet fee or pet rent. Allows the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to remove a vicious animal to protect persons or property. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL IMPORTATION.

Requires, as a condition of entry into the State, documentation verifying that any dog or cat imported into the State has been surgically sterilized, subject to certain exemptions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to forward declarations of intact animal importation to appropriate county animal control agencies or contractors. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO WILDLIFE.

Increases the fines for taking or harassing protected turtles in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits the sale of tickets at a price at least ten per cent more than the primary sale price charged by the primary venue ticket provider for events held in the State. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to impose fines for any violations. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL DEBT.

Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop, implement, and administer a Medical Debt Acquisition and Forgiveness Program to acquire and forgive outstanding medical debt for residents of the State, subject to the availability of program funds. Requires a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2027. Appropriates funds subject to a matching private funds requirement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY CONVEYANCE.

Restructures the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system for the sale of properties with residential use, adjusts the tax for multifamily properties to reflect value on a per-unit basis, and applies a cost-of-living adjustment to conveyance tax rates. Establishes the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Subaccount within the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax collections to the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Subaccount and Hawaiian Home Lands Infrastructure and Housing Special Fund. Establishes and appropriates funds out of the Hawaiian Home Lands Infrastructure and Housing Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO DISPOSABLE BODYBOARDS.

Prohibits the sale, rental, or distribution of disposable bodyboards in the State. Establishes penalties.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE FRAUD.

Prohibits certain solicitation and inducement practices relating to insurance claims. Establishes disaster-related insurance fraud offenses. Broadens the scope of the offense of insurance fraud and the acts that constitute insurance fraud. Clarifies the penalties for the offense of insurance fraud and the capabilities and operations of the Insurance Fraud Investigations Branch, including the annual report to the Legislature and the use of fraud analytics. Reiterates protections for insurance fraud whistleblowers. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Homeowners Insurance within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Homeowners Insurance Special Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY INSURANCE.

Establishes a minimum time frame of twenty-four months following loss due to declared state of emergency for the policyholder to submit documentation to recover full replacement cost value of covered dwelling or structure. Allows extensions for good cause. Establishes a minimum time frame of twelve months from completion of covered dwelling or structure for the policyholder to submit documentation to recover full replacement cost value of covered personal property. Requires homeowners insurers to give timely notice to policyholders to explain the time frames and extensions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat